Mormon Stories Podcast

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646: Missionaries Pt. 4: Tormented over "Self Abuse", Disillusioned by Uninspired Mission Leadership Aug 17, 2016

Show notes

Tre was raised in Oakland, CA as a bi-racial Mormon (Filipino mother and New Zealander/Maori father). While he was very committed doctrinally to Mormonism, he was not crazy about Mormon culture, and was taught the fundamentals of critical thinking from a young age. Prior to and during his mission, Tre was tormented by doubts, along with teachings and rules regarding "self abuse." For over a year on his mission Tre was taught that lack of success on his mission was due to these practices/weaknesses. After becoming zone leader, Tre became aware of a sex scandal that reached the highest levels of missionary leadership. This is Tre’s story.

645: Missionaries Pt. 3: Mike Woodruff – Gay, Abused on Mission, PTSD, Early Return Aug 11, 2016

Show notes

Mike Woodruff knew that he was attracted to men by age 14. After consulting with his LDS bishop, he was told that his “same-sex attraction” would “resolve itself” once he served an LDS mission. His LDS patriarchal blessing also assured him that he would serve a complete LDS mission.

After being called to the Leeds, England mission, Mike was physically and emotionally abused by his first companion. Suffering with severe PTSD symptoms, he tried for two months to remain in the mission, but did not receive appropriate mental health care. Instead, his mission-assigned therapist focused primarily on encouraging Mike to read his scriptures and pray more, which only reinforced his feelings of shame/blame as an abuse victim. In addition, Mike’s abusive companion was never punished for the abuse (to his knowledge), and was simply reassigned to other missionaries.

Mike ended up returning home early from his mission (after 3 months of service), and spent several years trying to reconcile the shame/guilt that he felt, heal from his PTSD, and reconcile his same-sex sexuality. Mike consulted North Star LDS to help him manage his sexuality and remain faithful LDS, but this approach ultimately led him to a suicide attempt.

Mike ultimately found peace and mental health by leaving the LDS church, and coming out as a gay man.

644: Missionaries Pt. 2 – Depression, Faith Crisis, Suicidality Aug 09, 2016

Show notes

Today's interviewee was a graduate of Dartmouth University and a regular listener to Mormon Stories podcast when she decided to serve an LDS mission in 2012. Towards the latter half of her mission she began to experience depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, due in part to a culture of perfectionism within Mormonism, along with doubts she began to experience as a missionary (primarily around LGBT and historical issues). When she informed her mission president of her depressive symptoms, he allowed her only three visits to a talk therapist.

Over time on her mission, she began to experience significant suicidal ideation, and on the final month of her mission was self-admitted to a psychiatric behavioral health unit/hospital. After her stay in the hospital, she decided that she no longer believed the church to be true, and terminated her mission service early (a few weeks shy of completion). While the LDS church attempted to make her parents pay her hospital bills while a missionary, her parents declined and threatened to sue the church if they continued with such insistences.

Eventually she decided to leave the LDS church, and has experienced significant improvement in her mental health, and elimination of her suicidality, as a result of this decision. At present, she is engaged to be married and works as a nurse at Planned Parenthood in California.

643: Missionaries Pt. 1 - Joshua Tesch and Facebook Aug 04, 2016

Show notes

Joshua Tesch served in the California Roseville Mission from 2013 to 2015. When the LDS church introduced the use of Facebook and iPads to missionaries, Elder Tesch was asked by his mission president to become one of the "Tech Missionaries" to help the mission adopt the new technology. Through this new program Elder Tesch was exposed to credible information critical of the LDS church, including the http://cesletter.org. Over time Elder Tesch developed a faith crisis and turned to the Mormon Stories Podcast Community on Facebook for support. Ultimately his involvement in the MSPC was reported to his mission president and his iPad was taken away. He continued as a missionary until his final month, when his mission president sent him home dishonorably for openly sharing his doubts.

642: John Dehlin "Ask Me Almost Anything" on Facebook Live Jul 20, 2016

Show notes

John Dehlin answers questions from a live audience via Facebook Live! This episode was recorded on July 20, 2016.

Elder Steven E. Snow Candidly Explains Why the LDS Gospel Topics Essays Are Not Publicized by the Church Jul 16, 2016

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Elder Steven E. Snow candidly explains why the LDS Gospel Topics Essays are not publicized by the LDS Church.

641: Grieving Together: Processing the Recent (and Continual) Loss of Black Lives in America Jul 09, 2016

Show notes

In this episode we invite Mica McGriggs, Dr. Darron Smith, and Dr. Fatimah Salleh to discuss the recent (and continual) loss of black lives in America due to to police action.

640: Staying Active in the LDS Church as an Unorthodox Member Jun 30, 2016

Show notes

In this episode Gina Colvin, Ph.D., Dan Wotherspoon, Ph.D., and Thomas McConkie explore the path of staying active in the LDS Church as an unorthodox member. This episode was recorded live at Studio at 50 West in Salt Lake City on June 15, 2016.

Summer 2016 Mormon Transitions Events: Phoenix, Salt Lake City/Park City, Dallas, Los Angeles/Las Vegas Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

Summer 2016 Mormon Transitions Events: Phoenix, Salt Lake City/Park City, Dallas, Los Angeles/Las Vegas

639: Dr. Thomas Murphy on the Book of Mormon, DNA, His Cancelled Disciplinary Council, and Native American Anthropology Pt. 2 Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

In 2002 anthropologist Thomas Murphy, Ph.D. published the first peer reviewed academic journal article on DNA and the Book of Mormon, demonstrating that DNA evidence (at the time) did not support the Book of Mormon's historical claims. Dr. Murphy was subsequently summoned to an LDS disciplinary council for apostasy, but the disciplinary council was "called off" at the last minute, and he has not been pursued since.

In this podcast series, Dr. Murphy discusses:

His early years in the LDS church.
His loss of LDS belief as a young adult as a result of military service, demonstrated lack of inspiration on the part of his church leaders, and information he learned as an anthropologist working primarily amongst native Americans.
His research and publication regarding DNA and the Book of Mormon.
His work as an anthropologist in Latin America, including work in Mexico and Guatemala.

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